Plans to use VRA lie detector software to identify benefit cheats have been scrapped after trials suggest it is unreliable…

Professor Lacerda, who is head of phonetics at Stockholm University, told the Guardian he welcomed the government’s decision to drop the technology.

“I praise the Department of Work and Pensions for the serious investigation they have done, which reinforces the strength of their decision. My only surprise is that it didn’t come earlier. There is no basis for the device at all, so I would be surprised if they had reached another conclusion,” he said.

“The problem with this device is that it is not even plausible to begin with. Had the department asked scientists in the UK they would probably have been advised not to bet on it, so this is a very expensive way of reaching an obvious conclusion,” Lacerda added.

The better way is to make it easier for claimants to acquire and demonstrate trust. Then you can raise the bar of proof without treating everyone in a hostile and suspicious manner.

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